Jack the Cat Dies After JFK Airport Ordeal

There was no happy ending for Jack the Cat, who made national headlines after getting lost in the American Airlines terminal at JFK airport late this summer. Though he survived the grueling two month-long ordeal and a subsequent surgery, Jack was euthanized on Sunday after his vet determined he would not successfully recover from extensive wounds on his body and resulting infections.

Jack the Cat was preparing to relocate from NYC to California with his owner, Karen Pascoe, when he disappeared from the baggage handling area on Aug. 25, just prior to the arrival of Hurricane Irene. After 61 days, he was found by airport workers, having falling through a ceiling tile. He was suffering from severe malnutrition, dehydration, and numerous injuries, and was taken to Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners in Flushing, Queens, for treatment.

From the start, veterinarians familiar with Jack the Cat's case cautioned that he might not recover, after being without food, water, or care for two months. He's not feeling well at all, he's pretty critical -- right now it's 50/50, Dr. Matthew Cooper, speaking on behalf of Jack's primary veterinarian, told the New York Post on Oct. 26. He has a feeding tube, he's getting fluids through an IV, but feeding is the most important thing right now.

On Nov. 3, doctors performed surgery on Jack to repair tears on his leg. According to an update posted on Jack the Cat's Facebook page, Jack needed surgery to treat the wounds, but there was not enough available skin to close the wounds after the surgery. The vet compared his skin condition to having severe burns over 50-60% of his body.

The vet was very clear that she had conferred with every possible doctor regarding options for Jack, the statement continues, but none of them left him with a substantial chance of survival and all of them involved him suffering.

A spokesperson for Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners told the Post doctors recommended euthanasia after determining that more treatments offered little or no chance of survival.

It's been a heartbreaking experience that I hope no one ever has to go through, Pascoe told the Post. I will miss Jack every day. He was very special.

Jack was five years old.